A BMW VANOS fault description can sound like a direct instruction to buy a camshaft adjuster. It is not. Before ordering an N20 or N26 gear pair, establish the vehicle’s identity, the exact component positions and the diagnosis supporting replacement. This guide focuses on the RunningRoo intake and exhaust package associated with references 11367583818 and 11367583819, rather than a complete timing-chain repair.
View the RunningRoo N20/N26 intake and exhaust adjuster package and the corresponding RunningRoo eBay item. Both were checked as available on 14 October 2026. For friendly fitment assistance, call 0425 890 125 with your VIN, installed engine code and OE references. RunningRoo is Australian-operated in Melbourne, offering Blackburn pickup by appointment and fast dispatch options subject to current stock and destination.
Two references, two positions, one carefully defined order
The product page identifies an intake and exhaust pair. Keep both references visible throughout the enquiry. It is easy to copy only the first number from a long title or to describe both parts simply as “VANOS gears”. A useful parts request states the intake reference, the exhaust reference and the quantity needed for each position.
| Position or purchase detail | Reference used in this listing | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Intake camshaft adjuster | 11367583818 | Match the VIN-specific parts requirement |
| Exhaust camshaft adjuster | 11367583819 | Confirm the exhaust position and current replacement relationship |
| Package quantity | One intake plus one exhaust gear | Verify the current supplied pair |
| Engine family | N20/N26 in the seller description | Confirm the actual engine code and build details |
| Chain, guides and other controls | Not established by the two-gear list | Obtain separate confirmation if required |
An OE reference is a matching aid, not a statement that the aftermarket product is a genuine BMW part. This article does not describe the RunningRoo package as BMW-manufactured. If a workshop asks specifically for genuine equipment, clarify that requirement before ordering. If it accepts the proposed replacement package, record the actual supplier and references on the job paperwork.
The presence of both gears does not mean that every VANOS-related component is included. Ask the installer to name any additional part it requires and identify its role. A gear pair should not silently become a chain kit, a sensor package or a complete control-system overhaul simply because all those topics appear in the same search results.
VANOS and valve lift are distinct parts of the discussion
BMW’s official information for the 2011 X1 xDrive28i describes its new 2.0-litre petrol engine with double-VANOS and VALVETRONIC. The document distinguishes variable camshaft control from variable valve control. For a buyer, the useful point is to ask which named assembly the workshop intends to replace rather than treating every valve-control term as a synonym. BMW technical press information.
Use the workshop’s exact terminology in your enquiry. If its estimate says “camshaft adjuster”, ask whether that means the gear assembly in this listing and which position is affected. If it names another control component, obtain that component’s reference rather than substituting a visually prominent gear. Clarifying the noun in the estimate is often the most valuable step before comparing prices.
This article is not a diagnostic test plan. It does not give a universal cam-angle target, an activation value or a repair sequence for N20 and N26 engines. Those details must be selected from current service information for the vehicle. The role of the buying guide is to connect a supported diagnosis with a correctly identified package.
Why a VANOS code alone should not trigger a gear purchase
BMW bulletin SI B12 15 13, revised in January 2014, discusses specified N20/N26 VANOS faults in a defined set of vehicles. The bulletin attributes the covered condition to a DME diagnostic programming error and directs software work rather than parts replacement. It includes faults such as 130308 among the listed examples. This is historical, applicability-specific information, not a universal explanation for every current VANOS fault. BMW bulletin hosted by NHTSA.
The purchasing consequence is straightforward: ask the technician to check the current applicable information and the vehicle’s software status before condemning the gears. Do not assume that a code proves mechanical damage, and do not assume that the historical software explanation rules mechanical damage out. The workshop needs to distinguish the conditions using the appropriate present-day diagnostic process.
Give the technician the complete fault report, including the circumstances and any previous repairs. A cropped screenshot of one code may omit useful context. If the warning appeared after timing-related work, say so explicitly. That history belongs in the diagnosis and should be available to the person deciding whether another component purchase is justified.
Keep the diagnostic decision attached to the parts request
A useful workshop handover records what was observed, what was tested and what remains uncertain. Ask for that distinction in plain language. For example, an estimate can identify a confirmed intake-position replacement while leaving the exhaust-position decision pending inspection. That is more useful to a supplier than a general request for everything associated with VANOS. Keep the dated estimate and any revised parts list together so an old recommendation does not accidentally become the final order. When the scope changes, confirm the required quantities again before arranging dispatch or collection. This documentation is a purchasing safeguard; it does not replace the technician’s service procedure or establish a new diagnostic rule.
Separate three possible buying situations
In the first situation, the owner has a warning message but no completed diagnosis. The right purchase decision is still pending. Ask for a test plan and a clear explanation of the findings before buying a gear pair. RunningRoo can discuss fitment, but a remote parts enquiry is not a substitute for inspecting and testing the vehicle.
In the second situation, the workshop has identified a particular adjuster for replacement. Ask whether a single-position part or the pair is the intended scope. A two-piece package may be useful when both positions are approved, but the existence of a pair listing does not justify replacing an unassessed component. The installer should explain its recommendation.
In the third situation, the engine is already undergoing a broader timing repair. Ask the workshop to keep chain-drive work and adjuster replacement separate in the parts list. Confirm which components are retained, which are renewed and which are awaiting inspection. This makes the final order more reliable and prevents one convenient product title from standing in for the whole repair plan.
Check N20/N26 identity and the installed configuration
Send the full VIN, build date and engine designation when requesting fitment. The seller lists N20B20A, N20B20B and N26B20A in its description, alongside several vehicle applications. Those entries help locate the product, but this article does not independently approve every advertised model-year combination. The individual vehicle still needs a parts-catalogue check.
If the engine has been replaced, provide that history. If the existing gears have readable markings, include photographs, but do not assume those markings alone prove that the previous installation was correct. Ask the workshop to reconcile the installed parts with the required configuration. The best enquiry combines vehicle identification, current catalogue information and physical evidence where appropriate.
A superseded number also needs explanation. Ask whether the proposed reference is an approved replacement for the required original number and retain the answer with the order. Avoid treating two nearly identical numbers as interchangeable because they appear together in an online search. The final digits are part of the identification, not optional detail.
Make the quotation easy to compare
Ask the workshop to separate the two gears, any other approved components, labour, diagnosis and service materials. This gives you a meaningful comparison between a gear-only estimate and a larger timing-system estimate. If one quotation includes more work, ask which additional findings justify it. A larger total does not automatically mean a worse value or a more complete diagnosis.
When using the RunningRoo gear-pair page, compare its written contents with the matching eBay item. Choose the ordering channel after checking current price, stock, shipping and terms. If an urgent repair depends on availability, call 0425 890 125 before confirming the workshop date. Keep the listing reference in every message so the conversation remains tied to the correct package.
RunningRoo’s friendly Australian-operated support can help clarify the product scope and fitment information. For Melbourne customers, Blackburn pickup is by appointment. For delivery, ask about fast dispatch to the actual postcode and distinguish dispatch from arrival. The installer should plan the booking around a confirmed supply arrangement rather than a generic delivery claim.
What should be resolved before installation
The workshop should confirm access to the correct repair instructions and required tooling. This guide does not prescribe timing-locking methods, torque settings, fastener reuse or software operations. Ask the installer to identify any additional materials required by the procedure and ensure those are on hand. A confirmed gear pair is only one part of a properly prepared job.
If the workshop asks the owner to supply parts, clarify its inspection and acceptance process. Arrange for the package to be checked before the installation window where possible. Retain the seller’s fitment response and make it available to the technician. A written record is more reliable than a verbal recollection of which engine or reference was discussed.
Do not open or alter an adjuster assembly to compare its internal appearance with a video. The product should remain in the condition needed for the installer and the applicable seller terms. If there is a concern about markings, finish or the supplied quantity, photograph it and resolve the question before fitting rather than experimenting with a new component.
Agree on evidence of a completed repair
Ask the workshop to record what was replaced and why. The final invoice should identify the actual intake and exhaust parts fitted, rather than simply stating “VANOS repaired”. If another issue was found, have that recorded separately. This makes the work understandable to a future technician and helps the owner follow the maintenance history.
Discuss the verification process before collection. The technician should explain which checks are appropriate under the manufacturer procedure and whether any follow-up is needed. Avoid requesting a universal result such as a particular angle or adaptation number based on another vehicle’s internet report. The applicable specification and the observed result belong together in the workshop’s assessment.
Keep the pre-repair complaint in view. A repair should be assessed against the original concern and the documented findings, not just whether new parts were installed. If the original symptom remains, provide the workshop with a clear description and the repair record. Do not immediately order another component without reviewing the evidence already collected.
Related RunningRoo VVT video
The RunningRoo video about a VVT cam phaser’s internal features offers general context on the component type. It is not a demonstration of these exact BMW references, a parts authenticity test or a model-specific installation instruction. Use it as a discussion aid alongside the workshop’s diagnosis, while keeping fitment and repair specifications tied to the proper vehicle information.
Frequently asked questions
Which number is intake and which is exhaust?
The RunningRoo listing identifies 11367583818 with intake and 11367583819 with exhaust. Confirm both against the vehicle’s required references before ordering. Keep the two positions labelled on the estimate and delivery check. A pair title should not replace a position-by-position parts match for the installed engine.
Will these gears clear code 130308?
That cannot be promised from the code alone. BMW has published applicability-specific software guidance involving VANOS faults, and a present-day diagnosis must establish the actual cause. Ask the workshop to check the relevant service information and test results before selecting a gear replacement. A code is diagnostic information, not a guaranteed shopping instruction.
Does the pair include a timing chain kit?
The stated package contains one intake and one exhaust VVT gear. Chain-drive components are not established by that list. If a broader timing repair is planned, obtain a separate itemised scope and confirm each additional package. Do not assume that a gear pair includes guides, chains or every related control component.
Can I use an N54 or another BMW VANOS guide?
Use information for the actual engine and vehicle. Similar terminology does not establish shared parts, settings or procedures. This article focuses on the listed N20/N26 pair and its two references. Ask the installer to use the correct current service instructions rather than carrying repair details across engine families.
Must both gears always be replaced together?
This article does not make that claim. The workshop should explain the scope justified by inspection and the applicable procedure. If only one position is required, ask about a suitable single-position listing. If both are approved, the pair can be compared with the itemised requirement before ordering.
Where can I get local fitment help?
Use the RunningRoo N20/N26 pair or matching eBay listing, and call 0425 890 125. Send your VIN, engine code, OE references and the workshop’s request. Friendly Melbourne support can help clarify the order, arrange Blackburn pickup by appointment or confirm fast dispatch options for the required parts.